Dispensing mechanism



July 21, 1964' A. J. LINDENBERGER 9 DISPENSING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 12, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 21, 1964 A. J. LINDENBERGER 3,141,591

DISPENSING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 12, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 "I l l I I I I l I I I I I I I I I I A. J. LINDENBERGER DISPENSING MECHANISM July 21, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 12, 1962 EHHU EHH v. i l HHHH $P s m 3 6 I. 4 4

IBIQ O O O O O OISISIEIE Q E w o o ou ho on no Q40 OIEIE United States Patent 3,141,591 DISPENSING MECHANISM Alex .I. Lindenherger, Loveland, Ohio, assignor to The Cincinnati Milling Machine Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Feb. 12, 1962, Ser. No. 172,590 4 (Iiaims. (Cl. 225-12) The present invention relates to dispensing mechanism particularly suitable when successive predetermined lengths must be severed from a roll of flexible sheet material.

In many situations where material is required in discrete sections it is supplied in continuous form, such as in a roll, and the desired length must be severed from the roll as required. Frequently, a graduated scale is mounted adjacent the roll so that a length of material pulled from the roll can be measured by the operator before it is severed therefrom. In some instances, as where Wrapping articles of uniform size, it is desired to sever discrete sections of uniform length from the roll, a section at a time, as each article is wrapped.

The mechanism of the present invention is particularly suitable for dispensing successive identical lengths of flexible sheet material from a roll, and, with this mechanism, successive sections can be severed from the roll without measurement of. each section by the operator. Rolls of widely varying width and diameter can be accommodated, and the change in diameter of the roll as the material is dispensed therefrom does not alter the length of successive sections of the material.

In the preferred form of the invention a roller and brake member are mounted on the lower end of a slide above the roll, the roller and brake member relatively shiftable on the slide so that one or the other engages the roll and supports the slide. A trip member is secured to an endless band which is mounted on the slide and which is driven by the roller so that the trip member moves from a fixed stop position in response to rotation of the roller A control member is mounted in the path of the trip member a selected distance, corresponding to the desired length to be dispensed, from the fixed stop position. As material is pulled from the roll to rotate the roll, the roller is engaged with the roll (the brake member being disengaged therefrom) and is rotated thereby. The rotation of the roller moves the trip member from the. predetermined stop position to the control member and the trip member operates the control member. Means is provided to effect relative shifting between the brake member and the roller in response to actuation of the control member. Thus, at this time, the brake member engages and stops the roll, and, simultaneously, the roller is lifted off the roll. When the roll stops, the operator knows the desired length hasbeen dispensed, and a knife is provided for severing the dispensed length from the roll. A Spring is connected to the endless band to bias the trip member to its original stop position and, when the roller is lifted from the roll, the trip member returns to the stop position. The roller and brake member are again relatively shifted automatically after the trip member has returned to the stop position, to effect reengagement of the roller with the roll and to lift the brake member off the roll. Thus, the operator need only pull and tear to effect complete operation of the mechanism.

It is therefore one object of" the present invention to provide mechanism to successively dispense sections of equal predetermined length.

It is another object of the present invention to provide mechanism for severing successive sections of equal predetermined length from a roll.

It isstill another object of the present invention to provide mechanism operable automatically to stop rotation of a roll of flexible sheet material after a section of predetermined length has been pulled therefrom, which mechanism resets itself for removal of another section from the roll.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention should be readily apparent by reference to the following specification, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, and it is to be understood that any modifications may be made in the exact structural details there shown and described, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from or exceeding the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings FIG. 1 is a view in elevation of the mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view, taken as the view of FIG. 1, showing the adjustable control member bracket;

FIG. 4 is a view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 1, showing the roller engaged with the roll, and showing the trip member as it engages the control member;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to the view of FIG. 4 except showing the brake member engaged with the roll and the trip member in its stop position; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of the pneumatic system of. the present invention.

There is shown in FIG. 1 a frame, indicated generally at 19, mounted on atable 11 and comprising spaced upstanding angle-iron legs 12, 13 connected at the top by cross-member 1d. The frame, near the lower end, has a pair of aligned brackets 15 secured, respectively, to legs 12, 13 and the brackets are notched to rotatably receive shaft 16. The shaft 16'carries a roll 17 of flexible sheet material, such as cellophane or wrapping paper, thereon. The upstanding legs of the frame are inclined at a slight angle from the vertical to tilt shaft 16 and urge the roll against a spacer 18 mounted on the shaft and abutting against the left bracket (as viewed in FIG. 1). A pair of knife arms 19 are pivotally connected, respectively, to brackets 19a extending fromthe legs of frame 10 and support a knife 20 therebetween which is biased against the roll 17 by spring 20a.

A slide, indicated generally at 21, is received on frame 10 above the roll 17; The slide 21 comprises a pair of spaced cross-members 22,23, each of which is slidably engaged with'both frame legs 12, 13, and members 24, 25, and 26, each of which is connected by means of spacers, such as spacer 24a, to the cross-members 22 and 23. Near the lower end of the slide 21' a shaft 27 is journaled in a pair of brackets 28 connected, respectively, to slide members 24 and 25. Shaft 27 has secured thereto a roller 29 and a sprocket 30. A bracket 31 is also connected to the slide members 24 and 25, above roller 29, and a reversible fixed stroke motor 32 is connected thereto. Motor 32 has a piston rod 33' extending downwardly therefrom which carries a brake shoe member 34 at its lower end; The brake shoe member has an elongated slot 35, through which shaft 27 extends with clearance, and includes a soft rubber lining 36 at its lower end.

As shown in FIG. 6, the fixed stroke motor 32 has a cylinder chamber 37, and, slidably received therein, a pistonSS which is connected to piston rod 33. A pneumatic valve 39 has a shiftable valve member 40 which is.

normallyurged downwardly by spring 41' and which is shifted upwardly by upward movement of the stem 42 connected thereto. Air under-pressure from a source (not shown) is supplied through line 43 to pressure port 44 of the valve, and, when the valve is operated and valve member 40 raised to connect pressure port 44 with motor port 4-5, air under pressure is supplied through line 46 to cylinder 37 above piston 38, lowering th piston and brake member against the bias of spring 47 for actuation, or extension, of the brake member. When the force raising stem 42 is removed to release the valve, valve member 40 drops, connecting line 46 with discharge line 48 which contains the adjustable needle valve 49 therein. With line 46 connected to discharge line 48, piston 38 and brake member 34 are raised by spring 47 at a rate determined by the setting of needle valve 49, thereby releasing, or retracting, the brake member.

A shaft 50 is rotatably mounted on the upper end of the slide between the slide members 24, 25 in a manner similar to the mounting of shaft 27, and in parallel relation to shaft 27. Shaft 50 has a sprocket 51 secured thereto, aligned with sprocket 36 on shaft 27, and an endless band, or chain 52 is received on the sprockets. A trip dog, or member, 53 is secured on the chain and extends therefrom. A pair of pulleys 54 are loosely received, respectively, on shafts 27 and 50 next to the sprockets and a spring 55 is received over the pulleys. One end of the spring is connected to the slide bracket 31 and the other end is connected to the chain, and the spring, which biases the trip member 53 toward the lower sprocket 35, is under tension when the trip member 53 is engaged with the lower sprocket 30 which defines a stop member therefor, as shown in FIG. 5.

A bracket 56 is mounted on slide 21, above roller 29, and is adjustable thereon towards and away from the roller 29 and sprocket 30. One end of bracket 56 is slidably received on slide member 24 and the opposite end is slidably received on slide member, or shaft, 26. A hinge 57 has one leaf 57a connected to bracket 56, and the other leaf 57b is urged by a spring (not shown) in a direction to engage flange 57c thereon with one of the regularly spaced slots 58 in member 25. Valve 39, which is connected to bracket 56 adjacent chain 52, has a pivotal arm 59 engaged With stem 42 and extending into the path of the trip member 53 carried by the chain. The stem 42, which is biased downwardly by spring 41, urges the arm 59 into its extreme lower position, as shown in FIG. 3. When the trip member engages the arm 59, the arm is swung upwardly (counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 3) to raisestem 42 and valve member 40. The trip member 53 moves in a vertical path from its stop position at sprocket 30, and the adjustment of bracket 56 on slide 21 towards and away from roller 29 and sprocket 30 adjusts the distance of valve member 39, which defines a control member for actuation of the brake member, from sprocket 39. Thus adjustment of bracket 56 positions the control member arm 59, which is in the path of trip member 53 at any selected position of bracket 56 on slide 21, to a position a selected distance from stop member 30 for actuation by trip member 53 after the trip member has moved from its stop position (FIG. to an operating position (FIG. 4) at the control member arm 59.

While a roll 17 is being loaded on shaft 16, the slide 21 is held in an elevated position on the frame by engagement of a latch 60 on the frame with a catch 61 on the slide. At this time the trip member 53 will be in an initial position against sprocket 30 by virtue of the initial tension in spring 55. At the same time pneumatic valve member 40 will be released and in its lower position, as shown in FIG. 6, and line 46 will be connected to atmosphere through the valve so piston 38 will be raised by spring 47. With piston 38 raised, the brake member 34 is in its upper, or retracted, position, in which position the brake lining 36 is held above the lower edge of roller 29.

The latch 60 is released and the slide 61 lowered to effect engagement of roller 29 with the periphery of roll 17. Firm, nonslipping, engagement of the roller 29 with the roll 17 is assured since, with the brake member elevated, the roller supports the full weight of the slide. Before operation is begun, bracket 56 is adjusted on the slide to place the arm 59 a selected distance from the initial position of trip member 53, which distance corresponds to the desired length of sections of material which are to be severed from the roll.

After the end of the material extending below the knife 2% has been torn off, the material at the knife is grasped and pulled from the roll. The roll rotates in the direction of arrow A and rotates the roller 29 in the direction of arrow B, as shown in FIG. 4. Since the roller 29 is connected to the sprocket 35 through shaft 27, the sprocket 30 rotates in the same direction as the roller. Thus the chain 52, and trip member 53 thereon, are operatively connected, or engaged, with the roll of material 17 through roller 29, shaft 2'7, and sprocket 3i), and move as indicated by arrow C until the trip member 53 arrives at and actuates arm 59. It will be noted that since roller 29 is in firm engagement with the roll, any point on the periphery of roller 29 will move the same distance as the periphery of roll 17. Therefore the amount of rotation of roller 29, and the amount of rotation of sprocket 313, will be proportional to the length of material removed from the roll, and, consequently, the movement of chain 52 and trip member 53 will be proportional to the amount of material removed from the roll 17. Member 25 has a scale 62 calibrated in inches of material to be removed from the roll so that when bracket 56 is locked to member 25 with hinge flange 570 at any given scale dimension, control member arm 59 will be spaced from the initial position of trip member 53 a distance not equal to (unless sprocket 30 and roller 29 are constructed'with equal radii) but corresponding to the desired length of material. When, and only when, that selected amount of material has been removed from the roll, control member arm 59 will be tripped by trip member 53. It will be noted that since the trip member moves according to the rotation of roller 29, a change in diameter of the roll 17 will not affect the operation of the trip member because for any given amount of material removed, the roller 29 will rotate a certain amount regardless of the diameter of, or an amount of rotation of, roll 17.

Thus control member 39 is operated after the length of material selected by adjustment of bracket 56 has been dispensed. Arm 59 is raised by trip member 53 to raise stem 42 and valve member 40. This operates motor 32 and, during the first part of the fixed stroke, the brake member 34 is lowered to roll 17 Since, in the extended position of brake member 34, the lining 36 thereof is below the lower edge of the roller, the motor 32, which is connected to the slide, lifts the slide during the latter part of its stroke and lifts the roller 29 from the roll.

The brake member, which, at this time, supports the weight of slide 21, stops rotation of the roll and the operator knows that the desired predetermined length has been dispensed. As the operator tears off the dispensed length at the knife, the trip member is pulled back to its initial position by spring 55, rotating roller 29 in the opposite direction from direction B. As soon as trip member 53 leaves arm 59, the valve member 40 is released to initiate retraction of brake member 34. However, needle valve 49 restricts the discharge of air from above piston 38, and the needle valve is set so that trip member 53 has returnedto its initial stop position before the brake member 54 is retracted above the lower edge of roller 29. Thus roller 29 does not reengage the roll 17 until after the trip member is against the stop defined by lower sprocket 30. After the roller 29 is reengaged with the roll 17, and the brake member 53 disengaged therefrom, the mechanism has been automatically reset for the operator to again remove a length from the roll.

I claim:

1. A device for dispensing successive sections of elongated material of predetermined equal length comprising in combination:

positions spaced apart a distance along said path cor-.

responding to said predetermined length,

(2) means including a roller contacting the material to effect movement of said trip member from one of said positions to the other as said predetermined length is dispensed,

(3) a brake member operable when actuated to stop movement of the material,

(4) means responsive to the arrival of said trip member at said other position to actuate the brake member and to effect separation of said trip member from said material,

(5) and means to bias said trip member toward said one position for return of the trip member to said one position on separation from the material.

2. A device for dispensing a predetermined length from a roll of flexible sheet material comprising (1) a frame having means to support the roll of flexible sheet material,

(2) a slide mounted on the frame above the roll,

(3) a roller mounted on the lower end of the slide for rotation by the roll when engaged with the periphery thereof,

(4) a brake member mounted on the lower end of the slide operable when actuated to stop the roll and lift the slide,

(5) a trip member mounted on the slide for movement thereon along a predetermined path, said trip member biased to a predetermined position on said path and operatively connected to the roller for movement along said path from said predetermined position when the roller is engaged with the roll and material is being dispensed from the roll,

(6) and a control member mounted on the slide in the path of the trip member and adjustable along said path to a selected distance from said predetermined position of the trip member, said control member operable to effect actuation of the brake member when engaged by the trip member.

3. A device for dispensing a predetermined length from a roll of flexible sheet material comprising (1) a frame having means to support the roll of flexible sheet material,

(2) a slide mounted on the frame above the roll,

(3) a roller mounted on the lower end of the slide for rotation by the roll when engaged with the periphery thereof,

(4) a brake shoe mounted on the lower end of the slide and shiftable thereon between an extended position below the roller to engage and stop the roll and a retracted position above the roller,

(5) an endless band mounted on the slide and connected to the roller for movement along a predetermined path in response to rotation of the roller, said band having a trip dog connected thereto,

(6) means to bias the trip dog to a predetermined position on said path,

(7) a control member mounted on the slide adjacent the path of the endless band and adjustable along said path to a selected distance from said predetermined position of the trip dog, said control member extending into the path of the trip dog for operation thereby,

(8) and power means operable in response to operation of the control member to extend the brake member and elevate the slide,

(a) the elevation of the slide disengaging the roller from the roll and releasing the control member,

(b) said power means retracting the brake shoe when the control member is released to lower the slide for engagement of the roller with the roll.

4. A device for removing a predetermined length from a roll of flexible sheet material comprising (1) a frame having means to support the roll of flexible sheet material,

(2) a slide mounted on the frame above the roll,

(3) a roller mounted on the lower end of the slide for rotation by the roll when engaged with the periphery thereof,

(4) a brake shoe mounted on the lower end of the slide and shit-table thereon between an extended position below the roller to engage and stop the roll and a retracted position above the roller,

(5) a reversible fixed stroke motor connected to the brake shoe operable in one direction for extension of the brake shoe to lift the slide and disengage the roller from the roll and operable in the opposite direction for retraction of the brake shoe to lower the slide and engage the roller with the roll,

(6) a pair of spaced aligned sprockets mounted on the slide having an endless chain received thereon, said chain biased to a predetermined position and one of said sprockets connected for rotation in response to rotation of the roller to move the chain from said predetermined position when the roller is engaged with and rotated by the roll, said chain returning to said predetermined position when the roller is disengaged from the roll,

(7) a control member mounted on the slide adjacent the chain and adjustable on the slide along the chain to a selected position on the slide, said control member operable when actuated to operate the motor in said one direction and operable when released to operate the motor in said opposite direction,

(8) a trip dog on the chain to actuate said control member,

(9) and a knife mounted adjacent the roll for severing material therefrom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS OBrien Jan. 31, 1933 2,265,875 Simpson Dec. 9, 1941 

1. A DEVICE FOR DISPENSING SUCCESSIVE SECTIONS OF ELONGATED MATERIAL OF PREDETERMINED EQUAL LENGTH COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: (1) A TRIP MEMBER MOVABLE ALONG A PATH BETWEEN TWO POSITIONS SPACED APART A DISTANCE ALONG SAID PATH CORRESPONDING TO SAID PREDETERMINED LENGTH, (2) MEANS INCLUDING A ROLLER CONTACTING THE MATERIAL TO EFFECT MOVEMENT OF SAID TRIP MEMBER FROM ONE OF SAID POSITIONS TO THE OTHER AS SAID PREDETERMINED LENGTH IS DISPENSED, (3) A BRAKE MEMBER OPERABLE WHEN ACTUATED TO STOP MOVEMENT OF THE MATERIAL, (4) MEANS RESPONSIVE TO THE ARRIVAL OF SAID TRIP MEMBER AT SAID OTHER POSITION TO ACTUATE THE BRAKE MEMBER AND TO EFFECT SEPARATION OF SAID TRIP MEMBER FROM SAID MATERIAL, (5) AND MEANS TO BIAS SAID TRIP MEMBER TOWARD SAID ONE POSITION FOR RETURN OF THE TRIP MEMBER TO SAID ONE POSITION ON SEPARATION FROM THE MATERIAL. 